What is the tax on restaurant meals in Quebec?

Quebec charges 5 percent GST and 9.975 percent QST, shown as two lines on the bill.

Do you tip before or after tax in Quebec?

Before tax. Quebec rules also require payment terminals to suggest tip percentages based on the pre-tax amount.

What is the easiest way to calculate a tip in Montreal?

Work the percentage on the subtotal before the GST and QST lines. Move the decimal point one place for 10 percent, then add half of that again for 15.

What does pourboire mean?

Pourboire is the French word for tip.

How to

How much do you tip in Montreal? Quebec tipping, GST and QST explained

Mosey · November 11, 2026 · 4 min read

Tipping in Montreal works much like the rest of Canada, but Quebec has two features worth knowing: two sales tax lines on the bill, and a rule that payment terminals must suggest tips on the pre-tax amount.

How much should you tip in Montreal?

At a sit-down restaurant with table service, 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax is normal. Fifteen percent is a standard tip for good service, and 18 to 20 percent says it was excellent. Servers in Quebec rely on tips for a large part of their income.

What taxes are on a Montreal restaurant bill?

Quebec bills show two taxes:

Tax	Rate	What it is
GST (TPS in French)	5%	The federal Goods and Services Tax
QST (TVQ in French)	9.975%	The Quebec Sales Tax
Both	Two lines on the bill	Added to the subtotal

Both are added to the menu subtotal, and the tip is worked out on the subtotal before tax. The tax lines on the bill show what was charged.

The short version: tip on the subtotal, not on the total with the two tax lines added.

Why tip on the subtotal rather than the total?

The GST and QST lines are not service, so a tip worked out on the total comes out larger than the percentage you meant. Work the percentage on the subtotal and the amount stays what you intended. To find 10 percent, move the decimal point one place; add half of that again for 15.

Do card terminals in Quebec calculate tips before tax?

Yes. Under Quebec rules in force since 2025, when a merchant's payment terminal suggests tip percentages, those percentages must be calculated on the price before GST and QST. That makes Quebec one of the few places where the terminal's suggestions already follow the usual tipping rule. You can still choose a custom amount.

Do you tip at cafés and counters in Montreal?

At a counter where you order and pick up your own food or coffee, tipping is optional. A small tip or no tip are both normal. If a café brings food to your table and clears it, a tip of around 10 percent is a kind gesture.

Do you tip at bring your own wine restaurants?

Yes, tip on the food bill as usual, 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount. Many people add a little extra to recognize the wine service, especially when the restaurant charges no corkage.

How much do you tip at a bar in Montreal?

At the bar, a dollar or two per drink is common. With table service or a tab, tip 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax total. The legal drinking age in Quebec is 18.

Do you tip for takeout and delivery in Montreal?

For takeout you collect yourself, tipping is optional. For delivery, tipping the driver is customary, usually through the app at checkout. Tip more in bad weather; Montreal winters are hard on couriers.

Do Montreal restaurants add automatic gratuity?

Some do for large groups. If a service charge or gratuity appears on the bill, you do not need to add another tip unless you want to. Always check before paying.

What else should you know about paying in Montreal?

Say "l'addition, s'il vous plaît" to ask for the bill, or simply ask in English.
Servers usually bring a portable terminal to your table.
Ask to split the bill before it is printed; "séparé" means separate.
Most places take cards and tap payments, but carry a little cash for small cafés.

How much do you tip at a Montreal hotel restaurant or fine dining room?

The same range applies: 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill. At fine dining restaurants, where service involves a sommelier, multiple courses and more staff, many people lean toward the higher end. If you are charging a meal to a hotel room, you can usually add the tip on the bill you sign. If a service charge is already included, check the bill before adding more.

How do you tip in French?

The word for tip is "pourboire". You rarely need to say it, since the terminal will prompt you, but it helps to recognize it on a bill or sign.

Mosey is about the places people actually ate at and what was worth ordering. Knowing exactly how the bill works means you can focus on the food.

Common questions

How much do you tip in Montreal?
At a sit-down restaurant, 15 to 20 percent of the bill before tax. Fifteen percent is standard for good service.
What is the tax on restaurant meals in Quebec?
Quebec charges 5 percent GST and 9.975 percent QST, shown as two lines on the bill.
Do you tip before or after tax in Quebec?
Before tax. Quebec rules also require payment terminals to suggest tip percentages based on the pre-tax amount.
What is the easiest way to calculate a tip in Montreal?
Work the percentage on the subtotal before the GST and QST lines. Move the decimal point one place for 10 percent, then add half of that again for 15.
What does pourboire mean?
Pourboire is the French word for tip.